1:33 PM,
Jul. 11, 2013

Louisiana state Rep. Jim Fannin of Jonesboro, a lifelong Democrat, has switched his affiliation to the Republican Party.

Written by

GREG HILBURN
The News-Star

Lifelong Democrat state Rep. Jim Fannin, chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, has switched to the Republican Party.

Fannin, R-Jonesboro, whose influence in the House is surpassed only by Speaker Chuck Kleckley, R-Lake Charles, said the Democratic Party has drifted too far to the left for him and his constituents.

"I just could no longer align myself with the views of the party, especially on national social issues like gun control and [same-sex] marriage that are growing to be a larger part of the state party's agenda," Fannin said. "I've tried to bring the state party ...